Business · NEWS EXPLAINER
Temasek plans Riyadh and Abu Dhabi offices for first half of 2027
The Singapore investor targets two Middle East hubs in 2027, subject to approvals; exact opening dates, staffing and office sizes remain unannounced.
Temasek plans to establish offices in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi in the first half of 2027, but the two outposts are not open yet. The Singapore-based investment company says both openings remain subject to statutory approvals, so the target window is not a guaranteed launch date.
The announcement would expand Temasek’s network from 13 offices in nine countries to 15 offices in 11 countries. Temasek says the new locations will act as hubs for its own teams and for some portfolio companies that may co-locate there, with a focus on partnerships and investment opportunities across the Middle East.
What the two offices are meant to do
Temasek’s official release says the Riyadh and Abu Dhabi offices are intended to deepen local engagement in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The company also plans to work with institutions in Qatar and other Middle Eastern markets, while using the regional presence to improve access to opportunities in Central Asia and Africa.
Chia Song Hwee, chief executive of Temasek Global Investments, became chairman for the Middle East and Africa on September 1, 2026. Ankit Khemka remains managing director for the region and is expected to lead the expansion.
Confirmed now, conditional later
The confirmed part is the plan: two named cities, a first-half 2027 target and a stated hub role. The conditional part is execution. Temasek has not announced exact opening dates, office sizes, staffing levels or a dedicated investment amount for either location, and the required approvals still have to be obtained.
That distinction matters because the announcement describes a future operating footprint, not offices that readers or portfolio companies can use today. Temasek reported a net portfolio value of S$518 billion as of March 31, 2026, but that figure describes the company’s overall portfolio and is not a budget for the two offices.
Why this changes Temasek’s regional presence
Temasek already invests and builds partnerships across the region, but offices in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi would give it an on-the-ground base in two Gulf business centers. If the plan proceeds on schedule, these would be Temasek’s first direct offices in the Middle East and would increase both its country count and office count in 2027.
For now, the practical takeaway is narrow: Temasek has committed to pursuing the two openings and named a target period, while approvals and operational details remain outstanding. Readers should watch Temasek’s newsroom for statutory approval, hiring and exact-opening updates rather than treating the announcement as a completed launch.
